November 29, 2006

Beck’s Sports Grill and Ice Ultra Lounge to Bring New Sports and Metropolitan Entertainment Experiences to College Hill

Cedar Falls – Darin Beck and Barmuda are pleased to announce two openings on College Hill: Beck’s Sports Grill will open its doors on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, and Ice Ultra Lounge will open on Thursday, December 29, 2006.

Beck’s Sports Grill will redefine sports bars as we know them. This will become the second location of the already successful Beck’s Sports Brewery on University Ave.

The UNI-Panther themed venue, in the former location of Tony’s La Pizzeria on College Hill, features the highest-tech sports viewing available today, including 26 high-definition, wide-screen TVs, plus seven regular TVs for interactive gaming, all with surround sound. Beck’s combines 242 front-row seats to all your favorite sporting events with an award-winning menu featuring all the favorites from Beck’s Sports Brewery.

Voted Best Sports Bar in the Cedar Valley by readers of the Waterloo Courier, Beck’s Sports Brewery also won Best Burger four years in a row. Beck’s Sports Grill will feature the mouthwatering half-pound Beckster Burger, in addition to a wide array of appetizers, sandwiches, wraps and entrees sure to satisfy any game crowd.

Darin Beck leased the Beck’s property in July of this year and began renovations, which will exceed a half a million dollars in new investment. The result creates a sports entertainment experience unlike anything before in this area. “The new Beck’s will truly be the next generation in the sports bar evolutionary process,” Beck says. “It will also serve as a sneak peak to what the community can expect to see in the coming year as Beck’s flagship on University Ave. gets new technology and a face lift. The quality of the LCD high-definition TVs, along with the sheer size of the wide-screen format, and the new technology we’re using for sound will make for one incredible experience not seen anywhere in the Midwest to date.”

The Beck’s concept includes Buzztime (formerly the NTN network), an interactive online competitive environment featuring, poker, trivia and QB1; billiards, darts and of course, every game sports enthusiasts want to see.

Barmuda’s Vice President of Operations, Matt Smiley, has gathered some of the company’s top talent for Beck’s management team. Kitchen Manager Duke Plumley comes from Beck’s Sports Brewery, where he’s worked in the kitchen for two years, most recently as assistant kitchen manager. Kyle Dehmlow, who has been with Barmuda for more than seven years and has run such properties as Shags, Coconuts and Soho, is the General Manager.

“We’re excited to bring a new age of sports bars to College Hill,” Dehmlow says. “We’re completely UNI-focused. Whether you’re a student, alumnus or future student, Beck’s will be your Panther headquarters. Of course every team and every game will always be on, but UNI is the theme and the Panther is our mascot!”

Ice Ultra Lounge will open in the former Tony’s Lounge location on Friday, December 29.^. Ice has its own College Street storefront and entrance, but is also accessible from inside the new Beck’s Sports Grill.

“Ice Ultra Lounge will be the type of place you simply have to experience to appreciate,” Beck says. “From its custom made furniture and brand new ice bar to its LED lighting and European design, you’d have to travel to Miami, L.A., Vegas or New York to find anything like it!” Beck says.

Ice will feature top-shelf liquors and a very sophisticated cocktail menu along with upscale wine and beer offerings. Following the trend in metropolitan markets, music will be spun by a live DJ with state-of-the-art equipment, but there will be no dance floor.

“The ultra-lounge feeling is created through design and music,” Beck says. “The sound in Ice will be very different from anything else you’ll find in Iowa, and will progressively change throughout the course of the night.”

Barmuda’s presence on College Hill began with Mojo’s Pizza House, which opened on August 30th. Ice Ultra Lounge will round out the new Barmuda trifecta on College Hill.

“I’ve long felt that College Hill was in desperate need of a full-service restaurant like Beck’s and has been waiting for a renaissance,” Beck says. “Between Mojo’s, Ice and Beck’s, we’re hoping that students, faculty, residents and families alike will find the new establishments to be the beginning of a new era on College Hill. We’re hoping to make the community and the University very proud!”

Beck’s Sports Grill will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and late night fun. Beck’s will serve all ages until 10 p.m. and guests 18 and older after 10 p.m.

Ice Ultra Lounge will open at 5 p.m. seven days a week for patrons 21 and older only.